ONE MAN DROWNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 3

ONE MAN DROWNED.

YACHTING TRAGEDY.

TWO COMPANIONS ESCAPE.

CAPSIZE OFF EASTERN BEACH. One man was drowned and two others narrowly escaped with their lives at Eastern Beach, just opposite Buckland's Beach, at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when the 14ft yacht in which flhey were sailing capsized about half a mile from the shore. The man who lost his life was a well-known Auckland solicitor, Mi\ John Edward Russell, aged about 34, only son of Mr. E. R. N. Russell, senior partner of the legal firm of Russell, McVeagh, Macky and Barrowclougli, of Auckland. Of the other two occupants, one, Mr. Trevor Kissling, of St. Stephen's Avenue, Parnell, just managed to reach the shore, and the other, Mr. L. Packenham, was later picked up by a passing yacht.

This morning Mr. Kissling said that Mr. Russell, with his wife and family, were visiting his father-in-law, Mr. Robert Burns, at Howick. Early yesterday afternoon the three men went out sailing, and they had been out about two hours when their boat was caught in a gust of wind while on the crest of a wave and capsized. Both he and Mr. Packenham were thrown clear of the rigging, but Mr. Russell for a short while was caught underneath the boat. When lie emerged he was practically exhausted, and for a time all three clung to the mast of the boat, the hull of which had sunk. Very soon Mr. Russell disappeared.

Mr. Kissling said that he and Mr. Packenham clung to the mast for some time until they decided that it was littlo use for both to remain in the water. "I thought I had a fifty-fifty chance of reaching the shore," he said, "and of bringing some help to my companion. I could see by taking a point on Rangitoto that we were not drifting at all, and that it was futile to remain clinging to the mast. Also, it gave my companion a better chance of maintaining his grip on the spar." Eye-Witness' Story. An eye-witness of the tragedy stated this morning that he was standing with Mrs. Dorothy Banbury on the verandah of her bach at Eastern Beach, when Mrs. Banbury said: "Look, that yacht seems to be in difficulties." "I had no sooner looked than both of us saw it capsize and the occupants thrown into the water. I was surprised to see the yacht disappear almost immediately. I rushed down to the beach to see if there were any boats available for assistance, but could find none. I drew the attention of other people on the beach to the fact that the yacht had capsized, but they did not believe me." He added that he then rushed back and drove in his car to the western beach for assistance, but was unable to obtain any, not even finding a boat. The only craft there was a launch which had had its engine taken out only the day before.

"As last resource," he said, "I telephoned the Howick police, then went straight back to Mrs. Banbury's bach and kept a close lookout over the water. All of a sudden Mr. William Angwin, who was on the cliff, saw someone struggling in the rough water fairly close to the shore. He immediately ran down the cliff, across the sands and rock and waded out into the water almost up to his neck and grabbed the swimmer, who was Mr. Kissling, and who was practically all in." Mr. Kissling Rescued. Mr. Kissling, he added, had managed to divest himself of all his clothes while in the water to give himself a better chance of reaching the shore. Mr. Angwin took off his coat and placed it over Mr. Kissling's shoulders. The time then was just 4.3o—an hour and a half after tho boat capsized. Mr. Kissling was taken to Mr. Morrison's house and there was given every care and attention. Later Mr. Morrison took Mr. Kissling in his car to Mr. Burn's house at Mellon's Bay. "It appears to me that had not Mrs. Banbury noticed the yacht at the instant she did, it is more than likely that neither of the two men would have been saved. Apparently we were the only two people to witness the tragedy." Mr. Packenham was picked up some time after the accident by a yacht which, returning to the bay, was notified by signals from the shore that a boat had capsized somewhere in the bay.

The yacht was dragged for at daybreak this morning and was found at about eight o'clock, and was brought ashore about eleven o'clock. Search parties were organised and the body of Mr. Russell was discovered about 11.30 this morning. There were three launches out dragging for the body—one belonging to the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. Trevor Davis' launch and a small tug boat. Constable J. Kennedy, of Panmure, was assisting in the organisation of the search. Mr. Russell's Career. Mr. Russell, who was a popular young solicitor, was educated privately. At the commencement of 1918 he went to England to join up with the Royal Air Force, having qualified as a pilot at the Christcliurch Flying School, and sought, with several other New Zealand pilots, a commission in the Air Force. After a short course he was granted a commission as second lieutenant and continued his training in England. He was not, however, able to see service in France owing to the fact that the Armistice liad just been signed.

Mr. Eussell then went up to TrinityCollege, Cambridge, ancl took his B.A. and LL.B; degrees, and was called to the English Bar in 1922. He then returned to Auckland and joined up with hie father's firm. About five years a rro lie was married to Miss Lovering Burns, a daughter of Mr. Robert Burns, and he is survived by his wife and two children. Mr. Kussell was a member of the Northern Club and the Auckland Golf Club.

The funeral will take place at 2.30 to-morrow afternoon, leaving from 13, Princes Street.